40,000 maintenance suggestions???

I am comming up on 40K on my 1983 seca xj900. So I am looking for suggestions about what sort of maintenance I should be doing or at least thinking about doing. The oil and filters (air/oil) were just recently changed/cleaned. Battery has been checked and tested. It is the other less mundane things that I am interested in, such as valve clearances, timing chain, axle bearings, pivot axle bearing, etc. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

W. D.

 

Here's what I did to mine at 40,000

Front Fork Springs
Fork Seals
Added 2.75 cm of Preload to the Front Fork Springs,
Checked Valves
Cleaned Starter Electrical End of Dust
Replaced all White Instrument Lights with Blue Bulbs
Adjusted Headset Bearings
Replaced Stock Windshield --> EagleScreens.com.au

[The Timing Chain gets replaces at 60,000]

 

Cool thanks for the info.

I have have recently had the front fork seals replaced, as well as the stearing nuckle. I did go through the electrical very intensely while doing some modifications to the turn signals. (replaced instrument panel lights, new head light, new 1157 running/turn lights, new battery cable). I have not done anything to the valves, carbs, timming chain, etc.


Regards,

W. D.

 

Be sure to check out the how-to's with pics...

skillet

 

If you don't know at what clearances your valves are, ... find out.
Measuring the Valves is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours.

If you have a Stock Fuse Panel, ... GET RID OF IT.
Get a NEW Fuse Panel and Solder into place, ... even if you have to Solder extension splices to lengthen the Wires to make it fit.

Undo the MAIN Ground Connection.
Toss the Rusty Bolt for a New One.
Sand the Ground Cable's Terminal End with an Emery Board.
Shine it.
Shine the top of the Case where it touches.

Do the same project on the Coil Ground Wires.
Replace the Washers with New Hardware.
Shine the Ground Wire Terminal with Emery Board or Cloth.
Shine the surfaces of the Ground Wires PATH to the Frame.

Add a Safety Fastener to keep the Speedo Cable from coming loose from the Speedo and dragging ... losing the Inner Cable.
A leather Shoestring and a Boy Scout's "Locking-hitch" will keep the Speedo Cable from depositing the Inner Drive Cable on the Highway if it vibrates loose.

Cracked or Sun Baked Instrument Panel replacement pieces are available from: TimeSavers.com
(Removal of a cracked Inst. Panel Plastic Cover requires Time and Patience and Plastic cutting Tools for precision work.)

The Rear Brake Light.
The Lens can be removed.
The Twin-bulb reflector removed and sanded-down rust-free.
Once the reflector is rust free:
Primer and repainted with "Chrome" Spray Paint.
Reseal the Reflector with Silicone Sealant.

 

How many of the 40,000 are yours? Valves are supposed to be checked every 5000 miles, I would start there.

Also, replace all the brake fluid if it's never been; and you should replace the lines too if they're over 5 years old.

 

8O

Electrical:

Some of the electrical work that you noted I have done, but a lot of it I have not. So I will begin checking into doing that.


Cables:

I will have se about the cables in general. It has not been that long since I had the front brakes redone (pads, fluids, etc.). It has been a long while since I did the rear units other than the fluids about 1 1/2 years. I have not replaced any of the cables though. You are suggesting that I should look into doing that?

Mechnanical:

Of the 40k on the bike the last 12k to 15k are mine. I use it as a daily driver these days so the maintenance is important to me. I do not know what clearabces are on the valves. I have read the proceddure in my service manual. However, I do not have a lot of expireince in the area. Is the a tech write up that I can look at some where in the forum???

Regards,

W. D.

 

VALVES!

Here you go: done on a 550 but everything is the same.

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

You are WAY overdue. Expect to find some very tight, hope it's not too late.

 

Not hijacking this but any symptoms that you hear or feel when valves are close to be done.

 

Hard starting, backfiring, loss of power (but this is gradual so you generally don't notice.)

Poor compression test results.

Motor too quiet.

More than 5000 miles on the odometer since you did it last.

The BIGGEST clue: the marked increase in power/torque/performance once done.

 

Thanks Fitz!!!! Think I'm due cant hit 200 riding 2 up but 180 no problem. Obviously in km/h. 8O